How to use coconut oil on hair
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Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and contemplated your hair? You saw that your hair wasn’t nearly as shiny as you would like it to be. Or maybe you’ve noticed that your hair is mostly damaged. You’ve noticed that when you put it up in a ponytail you have lots of flyways.
You maybe have tried lots of different products with little to no result. Or maybe you can’t afford to spend lots of money right now. What if I told you that there is one oil that can fix it all and more? Let me explain the benefits of coconut oil for hair and how to use it. You’ll be ready for that selfie session you have planned later with amazing hair.
How to use coconut oil on hair
Learning to use coconut oil on hair is super simple. You can use your coconut oil at any stage of your hair. What I mean is that you can use it before you wash it, after, and even during.
It is important to note that if you are going to apply coconut oil on hair after you have washed it, apply a minimal amount. The coconut oil can weigh your hair down, or make it look extremely greasy. This especially true if your hair is on the thinner side.
Massage the coconut oil on your hand and spread it evenly from the midsection of your hair all the way to the ends. If you don’t spread the coconut oil on your hand it can leave certain sections of your hair super greasy.
One expert by the name of Nunzio Saviano says the best time to apply coconut oil is at night and to dry hair. Warm up the coconut oil a little so it can open the hair cuticles and as a result the molecules can penetrate through the hair. More on molecular size later. No, I won’t be giving you a science lesson, don’t worry.
Coconut oil for scalp
I read that some people like to use coconut oil on their scalp to alleviate dryness, but you must be careful with this since it can cause irritation, clogged pores, and dandruff according to The Cut.
MindBodyGreen say’s that because of its antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties that if you apply it to your scalp it will stop dandruff. If you wish to do this then I would recommend not doing it every time you wash your hair. This is to avoid product build-up, especially if you wash your hair every day.
If you want to extend your hair washing days then I suggest reading this post to learn the best way to do that If you want to know how to get rid of dandruff, dull hair, and make your hair grow faster then check out my post on how to exfoliate your scalp. It’s super easy, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot.
The benefits of coconut oil for hair
If you are experiencing thinning hair, hair breakage, or hair loss it most likely has to do with the lack of protein on your hair. Your hair health has a lot to do with the protein in it, which makes sense since that is our hairs main component. There are many ways you can experience protein loss, such as
– dying it
– using hot tools
– pollution
– even by simply washing it
Some of these causes can be fixed by washing your hair less often. Like I mentioned before, I wrote a post on how to delay washing your hair which has lots of benefits, including retaining protein in your hair.
The reason coconut oil helps with the protein of your hair is that coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is a type of saturated fat that helps protect protein loss. According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, coconut oil is the only oil good at reducing protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair.
Preventing protein loss is essential to have strong healthy hair. So yes, go check your kitchen cabinet to check if you have any. I would suggest you start using coconut oil now before your hair has a lot of catching up to. Not only does coconut oil make your hair strong, but it also makes your hair softer, shinier, and repairs dry hair. Keep in mind though, coconut oil does not moisturize.
Coconut oil for hair growth
Coconut oil isn’t the cure for all of your hair problems. If you want something to help you grow your hair, this just isn’t it according to dermatologist Caren Campbell.
Instead of looking for one quick fix, stop doing things that hurt your hair growth or damage your hair in general. Such as applying heat, dying it and even how you tie/style your hair.
Yes, I know that doesn’t sound right, but it’s true. I wrote a whole blog post about it because I feel not a lot of people realize how much they damage their hair by how they tie it. If you are interested in learning the mistakes you probably are doing when tying your hair then check out this blog post.
If you are interested in growing your hair longer then guess what? I also wrote about that too! And you say I don’t listen. If none of this helps, then maybe it is a health problem and I recommend you go to your physician.
The negatives of using coconut oil on hair
Although many hair types can benefit from using coconut oil on hair, there is some concern that people with coarse textured hair can develop stiff hair from excess use. *so use ate your own risk*.
Although this isn’t a negative, it is something to keep in mind. While doing my research I did find some conflicting information. There are some articles that say that the molecules of the coconut oil are too big to penetrate through the hair shaft and only makes it soft and shiny temporarily.
Personally, that doesn’t matter to me, I can always keep applying it as I do with my other beauty products. Other articles say that because it has a low molecular weight it is able to penetrate through the hair shaft.
There is also contradicting information on whether it helps with hair growth or not, and if it helps with dandruff or not. My advice is to research it and try it for yourself and let me know your results.
The 5 ways to use coconut oil on hair
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As I mentioned before there are different stages that you can use coconut oil on hair. Let me go through each stage.
1. As a pre-wash protector
No, this is not the same as a hair mask, I will get back to that later. If you apply it about 30 minutes before washing your hair it can prevent your hair from soaking up too much water. The reason this is bad is that it can lead to damage and dryness according to verywellhealth. This tip is especially beneficial to those who have dry or curly hair.
2. Coconut oil as a conditioner
You can apply the coconut oil as a conditioner or add a few drops to your conditioner for double the benefits. If you apply it over your conditioner it will trap the hydrating effects.
Remember that coconut oil does not moisturize, it is not a humectant, but it helps seal. So if you apply it over your conditioner, it will seal all the benefits. The longer you keep it the more time it will have to penetrate the shaft and produce soft hair.
3. As a styling product
If you want to tame the fizziness that happens after you wet your hair, simply add a pea-size amount to your hair while it is still wet. This allows the hair to easily absorb the coconut oil. If you have thick dry hair, apply a moisturizing cream before applying the oil to lock in the moisture so your hair can stay hydrated much longer.
4. Coconut oil hair mask
To really let the coconut oil do its magic, apply the coconut oil hair mask for a few hours. If your hair is really damaged then leave the coconut oil on hair overnight. After you wash your hair be ready to want to touch it nonstop since it will be extremely soft, like butta.
Depending on the length and width of your hair is how much you’ll need to use. I can’t give you an exact measurement for this 1 ingredient mask, but I tend to stop applying it once when it gets to the point that I wouldn’t step outside to get the mail ha.
5. As a detangler
To use coconut oil as a detangler apply it to the parts of your hair that contains lots of knots to easily comb hair apart. The oil on your hair will make it “slippery” enough to comb through it much easier. It doesn’t matter when you apply, the benefits are the same.
Some coconut oils to consider
Products specifically for hair
Extra tips
1. When you are shopping for coconut oil, look for one that is organic, unrefined, and virgin, especially if it doesn’t have a ring on it, ha. That was me trying to be funny.
2. Washing off coconut oil can take a few wash and repeats, so make sure to schedule time for that… you’ve been warned.
3. You can add coconut oil to other foods to apply it as a hair mask. Other ingredients with loads of benefits include avocado, honey, etc.
4. Cover your hair with a shower cap or a plastic bag and apply heat to your hair with a hairdryer for a couple of minutes. This allows the oil to easily penetrate through your hair strands.
If you are on a budget, then this is a perfect step to start in your hair care journey. All you need is 1 ingredient that helps your hair health aaaalot. Personally, I have never paid attention if this one ingredient helps with hair growth. I have noticed though that my hair does feel softer, shinier, and just looks healthy overall.
Let me know if you have any questions, or if this 1 ingredient worked for you. If you want to keep up to date with skin and hair care tips, then sign up to my newsletter to the right!
Takeaways
1. You can use coconut oil on your hair before, during and after washing your hair by simply rubbing it on your hands and apply it evenly onto your hair.
2. If you are going to apply coconut oil to your hair, be careful as there are some risks.
3. Coconut oil is good at providing your hair protein, shine, and softness.
4. Coconut oil has not be linked to hair growth.
5. If you have coarse textured hair, it may stiffen your hair.
6. There are conflicting information on whether coconut oil penetrates through the hair, helps with dandruff or hair growth.
7. You can use it as a hair mask, detangler, conditioner, pre-wash, and styling product.